IS THE Coalition finally starting to get it?
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Earlier this week we saw Prime Minister Scott Morrison bow to pressure and cut short his family holiday in Hawaii to fly back to Australia.
And yesterday, the Member for Riverina Michael McCormack, who had spent the week as acting prime minister, agreed that in the context of the fires raging throughout the country, further action must be taken on climate change.
I almost ran off the road when I heard the clip on the radio.
It was only a little over a month ago that Mr McCormack famously derided those who had linked the bushfires with climate change as "the ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital-city greenies".
The Coalition has been so quick to paint anyone concerned about the world's climate and environment as extremists threatening our way of life.
It has been a particularly effective political strategy that has helped the Coalition hold power in this country for all but six years since 1996.
But it is also the sort of malicious misrepresentation you expect to see on a Facebook "Have Your Say" page, not in the Parliament of Australia.
There are many, many people in this country - and I get the sense that the number has grown considerably in recent weeks - who want their government to show leadership on climate change.
These people are not calling for the immediate shut down of coal-fired power stations, or the outlawing of petrol cars, or an end to animal husbandry.
Rather, they are calling on their elected government to acknowledge the science showing climate change is happening and then respond in a considered and proportionate way.
One can only hope that this week we have seen a corner turned in this country's political discourse.
For too long climate change has not only been politicised, but weaponised, and we are a poorer place for it.
However, if Mr Morrison, upon his return, is simply going to pose for meaningless photos and spout his "How good is ... ?" nonsense then he might as well have stayed in Hawaii.
Climate change is not the sole reason why so many bushfires are burning out of control, claiming lives, destroying homes and blanketing the state in smoke.
But it is one factor and the Coalition needs to decide once and for all whether it will be part of the solution, or continue being part of the problem.
Finally, the team at The Daily Advertiser would like to wish all readers a happy and safe Christmas, and please be careful on the roads if driving.
All the best for the week ahead, Ross.